Vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to a host of sleep problems—from insomnia to sleepiness, not getting enough of this vitamin can wreak havoc on your nighttime routine. Vitamin B12 is also extremely important for our heart health and energy levels. The NIH advises anyone age 14 and up should consume 2.4mcg B12 daily.
In particular, vitamins B6, B12, C, D, and E can improve or lower your sleep quality and duration. Vitamin C deficiency and both lack and an excess of vitamin B6 in the body might affect your sleep or cause insomnia. It is important, therefore, that you consult your doctor before taking any vitamin supplements.
First, one of the most common and most debilitating symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency is extreme fatigue, 'tired all the time' and in some patients also insomnia.
Omega-3, Vitamin D
A study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found the combination of omega-3s and vitamin D from fatty fish like salmon improved sleep in participants. Researchers think it's because of the effect of those nutrients on regulating serotonin.
Supplementing vitamin B6 may improve sleep quality and duration. A 2019 study also found that taking a supplement of magnesium, melatonin, and vitamin B complex for 3 months improved sleep and helped treat insomnia.
Several of the most popular natural sleep aids include melatonin, GABA, tryptophan, 5-HTP, CBD and THC, valerian root and lavender.
Not only can magnesium help you get to sleep, but it plays a part in helping you achieve deep and restful sleep as well. In one study, older adults were given 500 mg of magnesium or a placebo. Overall, the magnesium group had better quality of sleep.
Vitamin B12 deficiency: a rare cause of excessive daytime sleepiness. J Clin Sleep Med. 2019;15(9):1365-1367. Keywords: excessive daytime sleepiness; excessive sleepiness; hypersomnia; obstructive sleep apnea; sleep disorders; vitamin B12 deficiency.
People with vitamin B12 deficiency can have neurological symptoms and/or damage without anemia (lack of red blood cells). General physical symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency can include: Feeling very tired or weak. Experiencing nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
It has been found that the vitamin works directly on the brain to help induce sleep. Vitamin B12 benefits have been demonstrated to help patients with sleep disorders, such as insomnia, who have difficulty falling asleep. It has also been shown to improve sleep in healthy individuals depending on the dose that is used.
Vitamin B12, for example, should definitely be taken in the morning. This is because it is important for energy metabolism, which may interrupt your sleep if taken at night.
One study of older adults with insomnia found that magnesium supplementation at a dose of 500 milligrams daily for eight weeks helped them fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, reduced nighttime awakenings, and increased their levels of naturally circulating melatonin.
Which form of magnesium is best for sleep? Because it's combined with an additional sleep aid and amino acid, glycine, magnesium glycinate is one of the most common magnesium supplements used for achieving better sleep.
Therefore, magnesium supplements can be taken at any time of the day, as long as you're able to take them consistently. For some, taking supplements first thing in the morning may be easiest, while others may find that taking them with dinner or just before bed works well for them.
If you're tired but can't sleep, it may be a sign that your circadian rhythm is off. However, being tired all day and awake at night can also be caused by poor napping habits, anxiety, depression, caffeine consumption, blue light from devices, sleep disorders, and even diet.
Poor sleep habits include an irregular bedtime schedule, naps, stimulating activities before bed, an uncomfortable sleep environment, and using your bed for work, eating or watching TV. Computers, TVs, video games, smartphones or other screens just before bed can interfere with your sleep cycle.
Common reasons include the following: Stress. Poor sleep environment caused by loud noises or light. Too much caffeine.
Cherries
Cherries (especially sour cherries like the Montmorency variety) are one of the only (and highest) natural food sources of melatonin.
Melatonin may be effective for helping you sleep in certain instances but it shouldn't be used as a long-term sleep aid. Other supplements including magnesium, valerian root, tart cherry, L-theanine, lavender essential oil, and GABA are worth considering as alternatives to melatonin.
How to raise your B12 levels fast. The most common way to treat B12 deficiencies is by adjusting your diet. If this is unsuccessful, vitamin supplements may be recommended. If you're looking to boost the amount of vitamin B12 in your diet, you should eat more animal products, like meat, seafood, dairy and eggs.
It may take a few weeks before your vitamin B12 levels and symptoms (such as extreme tiredness or lack of energy) start to improve. If you have hydroxocobalamin injections to boost your vitamin B12 levels at the start of treatment, the cyanocobalamin tablets may start to work within a few days.